Bamboo Airways has officially opened a new route, Ho Chi Minh City - Thanh Hoa, with a one-way ticket starting from only VND149,000 ($6.3).

The new route is an important milestone for Bamboo Airways, demonstrating its commitment to investing in developing a niche market that meets the travel needs of passengers and spreads its wings during its sustainable development journey.

Mr. Dang Tat Thang, General Director of Bamboo Airways, said Thanh Hoa, in Vietnam’s north, is a key destination in its aviation - tourism development strategy and of the FLC Group, its owner. “The opening of the Ho Chi Minh City - Thanh Hoa route is part of Bamboo Airways’ strategy to contribute to the development of local tourism,” he said. “We expect the route will give passengers more travel options during the upcoming Tet holiday and in the future, while at the same time increasing the number of visitors to Thanh Hoa.”

The carrier conducted its first commercial flight, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, on January 16. Other routes include Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Phu Quoc Island, with tickets starting from only VND149,000 ($6.3).

The official online booking website, www.bambooairways.com, opened on January 12 and received millions of visits in its first five hours, with over 8,000 tickets sold.

The carrier plans to operate 37 routes this year, connecting all major cities and popular tourist destinations in Vietnam and internationally. It will conduct 60 domestic flights each day.

In subsequent years it will add international routes to Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and by 2023 will open long-haul routes to the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

From March to June 2018, the airline signed two agreements totaling $8.8 billion to purchase A321neo and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) officially granted an Aircraft Operator Certificate (AOC) to Bamboo Airways on January 8.